About Us

Catherine J. Snow Stroke Foundation is a California State nonprofit organization with federal 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. Our tax ID number is 20-3685351.
 

Our Mission

To prevent stroke through awareness and education.
 

Our Vision

To inspire people everywhere to take charge of their health and wellness to prevent stroke.
 

Our Inspiration

Catherine J. Snow Stroke Foundation, also known as Cathy's Foundation, was created after Cathy Snow's death from a hemorrhagic stroke, to honor her life by educating people about stroke, the warning signs and the importance of getting medical attention immediately, and how to make lifestyle changes that will significantly lower their risk for stroke.
 

Statement on Financial Support

Catherine J. Snow Stroke Foundation does not accept donations or any financial support from pharmaceutical companies, as we believe it would be an implied endorsement and therefore a conflict of interest.

Rebecca Snow is President and Co-Founder of Cathy's Foundation. After Rebecca's mom died unexpectedly in 2004 from a massive stroke, Rebecca completely focused on working to make changes in stroke prevention and outcome.

A film major, Rebecca had quit her job, cashed in her 401K and was working on a screenplay to pursue her dream of becoming a filmmaker. After her mom's sudden death, Rebecca's dream changed overnight from making movies to making an impact in stroke prevention.

Last year, after finally giving up the most controllable risk factor for stroke - smoking, Rebecca started running to lose weight and get healthy. Smoking, being sedentary and being overweight are three very important controllable risk factors for stroke that were way past time for her to change. She decided to do it publicly to inspire other people to do the same, which she chronicles in her weekly blog.

Rebecca can be found pursuing some of her other passions when not working at the Foundation: running, photography and writing.

Rose Cancro is Co-Founder and Secretary/Treasurer of Cathy's Foundation. A longtime family friend of the Snow's, Rose was close to Cathy and called her "my west coast mama". Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, she studied nutrition at Drexel University. She later moved to New Jersey, got married and started a family. After raising two boys, and later moving to California, she worked for many years as an activity director for retirement communities.

After Cathy's death, Rose immediately joined Rebecca in getting the foundation off the ground. After co-founding Cathy's Foundation, Rose had a stroke in 2007 while working in the Foundation office. She had no risk factors at all. In her confusion from the stroke, she called Rebecca, who was working away from the office but recognized over the phone that Rose was having a stroke. Knowing the warning signs and teaching them to others (so if you have a stroke, others will know and call 911 for you immediately!) can save your life.

After recovering from her stroke Rose started walking three miles a day. She also continues to practice yoga daily.

When not working to prevent stroke, Rose's other passions are cooking, red wine tastings, nutrition, reading and, of course, her two grown kids.

TEAM CATHY - Walking and Running to Fight Stroke
Rose Cancro and Rebecca Snow at the Carlsbad 5000, April 6, 2008.

Join us and the San Francisco Marathon for their Cause to Run Program (We are Team 6) and volunteer, walk, run or donate to help us make a difference! To volunteer, email Rebecca at teamcathy@cathysfoundation.org. Hope to see you there!